Heartbroken family and friends of Ben Thomson gathered yesterday to say a final farewell to the much-loved teenager.

Scores of people gathered at Woodside Crematorium in Paisley to celebrate the life of the 14-year-old, who died last month after getting into difficulty at Glenburn Reservoir.

Many held roses while others wore football tops and bright colours as requested by his parents, Sharon and Barry, and his sisters Kymberley, 19, and Sophie, 13.

Barry was one of the pallbearers who carried Ben’s coffin, which was red and adorned with a Bugatti car grill, the teen’s favourite.

(Image: Andrew Neil/Paisley Daily Express)

Humanist celebrant Libby Smillie conducted the service. She said: “I wish I could stand here today with some words to make it all a bit easier for you. Sometimes we have to accept there are no words and this is one of those occasions.”

She added: “Because of the character Ben was, his family have made it very clear this ceremony is to be a celebration of Ben’s life.”

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When Ben was born, he had to undergo nine and a half hours of open heart surgery. He came home and thrived and soon had everyone wrapped around his little finger.

When he was aged seven, he was diagnosed with ADHD and started on medication. Ben was awarded the Ian Rennie Trophy for overcoming difficulties in P7 at Bushes Primary. He went on to Gleniffer High School and soon found his niche in the technical department, particularly enjoying woodwork.

(Image: Andrew Neil/Paisley Daily Express)

Libby said: “Ben had his life all figured out. He was going to work as a joiner for the council earning £510,000! He was going to get himself a Bugatti, play football for Barcelona, become a policeman so he could go to the football and in his lunch hour he would work for Mr Kebab so he could get donner meat.

Happy times: Ben with his dad Barry

“His family life was also all planned out. He was going to have 24 weans. But he wasn’t going to raise them, that would be his mum Sharon’s job.”

Ben played for the Everton 2004 team and was planning to try out for the school team next term. He was a Rangers fan and also supported St Mirren , Liverpool and Manchester United.

But his greatest love was his PlayStation, which he used to play for hours.

Ben’s cheeky sense of humour shone through the tribute. He frequently called his mum and sisters “darling” or “princess” while he greeted his beloved granny Annie with “Alright shorty”.

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He would play FIFA with his dad but change it to the hardest setting so his dad had no chance of winning.

(Image: Andrew Neil/Paisley Daily Express)

Libby said: “Ben touched the lives of so many people. The streets of Glenburn were lined with people when he left this morning.

“He touched particularly the communities of Glenburn and Gleniffer High School and the family have been absolutely overwhelmed by the acts of kindness they’ve received.”

Mourners were asked to write a short message to Ben or the family on a pink Post-It Note – Ben’s favourite colour. They plan to put these together in a memorial book.

Donations given to the family since Ben’s death and after the ceremony will be gathered and sent to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

Ben's devastated parents Barry and Sharon Thomson

The family thanked the angler who tried to rescue Ben and all the emergency services as well as all the staff at J&W Goudie and Woodside Crematorium.

Libby finished the service by reading a poem chosen by Ben’s family, Butterfly Kisses. The mourners left to one of Ben’s favourite songs, One Last Time by Ariana Grande and went on to St Peter’s Men’s Club in Glenburn.